The purpose of this study is to understand the realities, expectations and attitudes of patients 80+ and their families about the use of life-sustaining technology, and to document the patient outcomes and family experiences associated with surviving and not surviving critical illness. Specifically in this project the investigators will determine the real outcomes of critical illness experienced by octogenarians.

patient is a resident of Canada and has a permanent address in this country

patient has an eligible family caregiver who has visited the patient at least once within 96 hours of the current ICU admission

Exclusion Criteria:

family caregiver is <= 18

family caregiver is paid to do so

family caregivers that do not speak English or French

previously enrolled

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01293708